210702 Strategic Supply Chain Management

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Business
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

Most organisations treat supply chains as a cost centre that needs to be minimised rather than as a truly strategic asset. Strategic supply chain management brings value to organisations through the effective design and long-term planning of a network of interconnected businesses involved in the provision of products and services to the end-users. This subject introduces learners to the philosophy of supply chain management, with the main focus being to prompt proactive decision-making as they recognise the value of supply chains as a strategic asset. It assists learners to make effective, evidence-based strategic decisions to solve operational issues. Ameliorating efficiency and enhancing existing systems is a skill that students will learn through reflection-based tasks. Students also learn about various pillars of sustainability as they design different structures of supply chains.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1.	Identify, examine and interpret different supply chain structures for local and global markets
2.	Apply a range of quantitative tools and techniques to improve supply chain performance and optimise solutions
3.	Design strategic supply chain networks across different communities, industry sectors and economies
4.	Demonstrate the ability to influence a diverse set of stakeholders at multiple levels of the supply chain involving strategic planning, design and communication

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

This subject develops a range of core business skills in strategic supply chain management through the analysis of a series of case studies of domestic and global supply chains. The techniques developed are grounded in both quantitative and qualitative forms of analysis. The quantitative techniques develop the student's capacity in the analysis of supply chain decision-making problems. The subject explains the scope of the area and the emergence of distribution and network design, manufacturing processes, transportation, lean, agility, and sustainability as a key strategic function within businesses. A number of tools are used to identify issues and enable students to apply leading-edge techniques to address contemporary business situations through effective supply chain collaboration.

This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:

Communication and collaboration
Professional and technical competence

This subject specifically develops the following Program Learning Objective for the Master of Supply Chain Management:

Employ inter-personal skills and communication strategies to effectively engage and influence diverse stakeholders at multiple levels (2.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is delivered online using a range of resources, self-directed study and live interactive sessions with the academic. Learners engage in the essential content through various formats (lecture slides, notes, webinars, videos, articles, real case studies) online and learner-led dialogue through online discussions, posts, and interactions. The teaching and learning strategies have been designed to enable learners to make progress in their achievement and maximise their accomplishment of the learning outcomes. Various teaching and learning strategies adopted are as follows:

Learners will be expected to read all the assigned readings, reports, and articles, research and identify innovative tools and approaches applicable to strategic supply chain management.
By conducting self-paced study, learners contribute to the discussions on the influence of different quantitative tools on supply chain performance. This will enhance learners’ ability to progress successfully throughout the subject and complete all assessment items effectively.
The online sessions will provide opportunities for group activities and discussion, self-assessment, peer review and formative feedback from the subject facilitator. Online collaborative sessions with the facilitator will be conducted at a set time.
During the course, learners will demonstrate advanced knowledge of supply chain management with focus on inter-personal skills and communication strategies to effectively engage and influence diverse stakeholders at multiple levels.
Formative feedback will be provided to all learners and will take several forms, including online collaborative sessions with the facilitator and assessment feedback to support and enhance learner performance.

Content (topics)

Designing Distribution and Supply Chain Network
Manufacturing Processes within Supply Chains
Transportation in Supply Chain
Sourcing Decisions in Supply Chain
Lean and Agile Supply Chains
Sustainability in Supply Chain and Supply Chain Performance

Assessment

Assessment task 1: SC Network Design Brief (Individual)

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 2
Weight:	30%
Length:	750 words, excluding references
Criteria:	Quality and detail of the research conducted in selecting relevant supply chain network designs Evaluation of the network design options and provision of a rationale for best SC network design Application of the optimisation tool for deciphering the lowest cost supply chain network design

Assessment task 2: Industry Case Study Analysis (Individual)

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 3 and 4
Weight:	50%
Length:	1000 words, excluding references
Criteria:	Depth and rigor of sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution strategies analysis Demonstration of different strategies adopted and how different stakeholders collaborate and communicate to ensure effective supply chain operations Clarity of communication and cohesion of the report

Assessment task 3: Recorded Pitch Presentation (Individual)

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 3 and 4
Weight:	20%
Length:	500-word equivalent: 3-minute presentation
Criteria:	Depth and rigor of critique of different supply chain design strategies Clarity of communication and effort to influence the audience/stakeholders

Minimum requirements

Learners must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.

Recommended texts

There is no prescribed textbook required.

References

Resources from various sources will be used throughout the course.